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"Why do you think he wanted everyone to know everything about everyone?" asked Son.
"Perhaps it's a sort of justice."
"That sounds right. But what does it mean?"
"Maybe he was making efforts he felt were unrewarded in this life."
"You mean like being kind to people?"
"Yes. His hoped for payback was for everyone to know he was being kind without reward."
"But he must have been rewarded in life for his kindness."
"I'm sure he was. But he probably felt it wasn't enough."
Son frowned at this. They sat quietly for a moment.
"Do you think," Son asked, "he may have had a more pronounced cruel streak in him than in others, so that it was harder for him to be kind than for most everyone else?"
"It's possible. What makes you ask?"
"There were a few times when he lashed out so cruelly that I couldn't believe it. It was over little stuff. It made me wonder."
"Well, he was a patient man, and sometimes patience runs out, and there is a backlash."
"But being patient was something he probably wanted to be rewarded for in the afterlife, too. So maybe he was really more impatient than most."
"These things, strong virtue and strong vice, go together, Son."
"Do you think he was vicious?"
"No, but I think he had the temptations that a man strong in faith has."
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Nick Pappas, pappasnick.typepad.com
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